Introduction: Weapons Technology

Violence and conflict have been a feature of human life throughout history. Starting with simple weapons, people have developed ever more advanced methods to kill one another. Technology has dominated warfare since the early 1900s, and an astounding 190 million people may have been killed during the 25 biggest conflicts of the 20^th century.

Today guided weapons, like "smart" bombs dropped by stealth bombers, coupled with space-based sensors and precision satellite navigation, provide decisive advantages in conventional warfare. In this high-spending game, less capable opponents are soon reduced to guerrilla tactics, and human cost of war remains high.

The US has embraced Full Spectrum Dominance, the belief that superior technology in all fields guarantees victory, though critics disagree. This has led to ever more sophisticated and expensive aircraft and a proliferation of unmanned systems, including robot aircraft to attack targets. Future plans may include swarms of flying robots, while an existing desert race for driverless vehicles may pave the way for autonomous supply vehicles.

The infantry of the future may be kitted out with powered exoskeletons and accompanied by robotic pack mules.

Advanced technology

The future battlefield might also extend to space, with orbiting arsenals and high-altitude aero-spaceplanes, though robot spacecraft capable of intercepting satellites may be intended more to protect the military's investment in Global Positioning Systems and other orbital assets.

As opponents who lack high technology are reduced to hiding in the face of ever-increasing firepower, new weapons are being developed to attack the deepest bunkers, including "supercavitating" warheads and burrowing bombs.

One of the most ambitious schemes is to build a shield to defend the US from ballistic missiles. This would rely on a combination of airborne lasers and missiles, but the laser programme has proved more challenging than expected, as has hitting a missile with another missile. But lasers have succeeded in shooting down tactical rockets and even artillery shells.

Neutrino beams that could travel through the Earth and zap nuclear missiles on the other side of the planet have even been envisioned.

However, many critics doubt whether a missile defence scheme could work, and suggest that intercepted warheads might fall on Europe, Canada or middle America.

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